New Jersey allows "Limited Liability Company", "LLC", or "L.L.C." in LLC names. Unlike Illinois, periods in "L.L.C." are acceptable. But New Jersey has slowest processing in Northeast - 10-15 weeks by mail, 6-8 weeks online.
NJ LLC Name Requirements
Must contain "Limited Liability Company", "L.L.C.", or "LLC".
Can use periods in abbreviation - unlike Illinois.
Can't be same as or deceptively similar to existing NJ entity.
Can't imply government agency or bank without approval.
Restricted words: Attorney, Doctor, Engineer, Architect require professional licenses.
Name Availability Search
Search NJ Division of Revenue database at nj.gov/treasury/revenue/dcr/programs/buscorpname.shtml.
Free unlimited searches. Checks: Active LLCs, corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, fictitious names.
Database updated weekly - not real-time.
Call 609-984-9834 to confirm availability before filing - online database has 3-7 day lag.
Similarity Standard
NJ uses "likely to deceive" test.
Examples: "Garden State Consulting LLC" vs "Garden State Consultancy LLC" - likely rejected.
"Newark Tech LLC" vs "Jersey Tech LLC" - different geography, likely approved.
"Shore Solutions LLC" vs "Seashore Solutions LLC" - probably rejected.
More distinctive means safer.
NJ Database Lag Problem: Online search shows 3-7 day old data. Someone could file name yesterday - won't appear in search until next week. You file today based on search showing "available" - rejected 8 weeks later because name already taken. Always call to confirm availability before paying $125 filing fee.
Name Reservation
Reserve name 120 days before filing. Cost: $50 by mail.
File form C-119 (Application for Reservation of Name). Processing: 4-6 weeks by mail.
No online name reservation available.
Can't extend - must file new reservation ($50 again) if it expires before filing LLC.
Certificate of Formation Filing
File online at njportal.com/dor/businessformation or by mail.
Must include: LLC name with proper designator, registered agent NJ address, effective date, organizer signature.
Fee: $125. Processing: 6-8 weeks online, 10-15 weeks mail.
Expedited: $50 fee reduces to 3-4 weeks - still slower than most states.
Trademark Search Required
NJ Division of Revenue doesn't check federal trademarks.
Search USPTO at tmsearch.uspto.gov separately.
Federal trademark rights trump state LLC registration - trademark owner can sue for infringement despite NJ approval.
30 minutes USPTO search prevents $25,000+ legal costs.
File federal trademark application BEFORE NJ LLC if possible. Trademark examination takes 6-9 months - same time as waiting for NJ LLC approval. Run both processes in parallel. Trademark priority is based on filing date - file early to secure rights.
Annual Report Requirements
Due last day of birth month - the month LLC was formed.
Example: LLC formed June 15 means annual report due June 30 each year.
Fee: $75 online. Late penalty: $25 + $25/month after 1 month late.
File at njportal.com/dor/annualreport. Dissolved after 2 years non-filing.
Birth Month Timing
Strategy: Form LLC early in month to maximize time before first annual report.
Example: Form June 2 means first report due June 30 next year - 13 months away.
Form June 28 means first report due June 30 next year - 12 months away.
Minor difference but free extra time.
First Year Report Confusion: NJ requires annual report SAME YEAR as formation if formed before October. Example: LLC formed March 2025 - report due March 31, 2026 (normal). LLC formed November 2025 - report due November 30, 2026 (normal). But some businesses expect first report waiver - NJ doesn't offer one.
Assumed Name (DBA)
Operating under different name than legal LLC name? File Alternate Name Certificate.
File with NJ Division of Revenue. Cost: $50.
Example: "Smith Holdings LLC" DBA "Jersey Coffee House".
Must include "a/k/a" or "t/a" (trading as) in business documents when using alternate name.
Professional LLCs
Licensed professionals must form PLLC.
File Certificate of Formation for Professional LLC. Same $125 fee as regular LLC.
Must attach proof of professional license.
Restricted to: Attorneys, doctors, dentists, accountants, architects, engineers.
All members must hold same professional license.
Name Change After Formation
File Certificate of Amendment. Cost: $100 - more than formation $125.
Processing: 6-8 weeks online.
Must update: Federal EIN, bank accounts, business licenses, insurance, all contracts.
Total update time: 6-10 weeks including NJ processing delay.
Foreign LLC Registration
LLC formed in another state operating in NJ must register as Foreign LLC.
File Certificate of Authority. Cost: $125. Annual report: $75 same as domestic LLC.
Example: Delaware LLC doing business in NJ needs to register as foreign LLC in NJ ($125) + maintain DE registration ($300/year) = $425 first year NJ fees.
When Foreign Registration Required
Physical office in NJ: Required. Employees working in NJ: Required.
Regular in-person meetings with NJ customers: Required.
Just shipping products to NJ customers: Not required.
Just having NJ customers with no physical presence: Not required.
Physical nexus triggers registration requirement.
Foreign LLC Penalty Risk: Operating in NJ without registering as foreign LLC means $500-1,000 fine per violation. Can't sue in NJ courts until registered. Can't enforce contracts. NJ Division of Revenue cross-references contractor licenses, commercial leases - discovers unregistered foreign LLCs. Register before operating.
Domain Strategy
Register domain before LLC filing.
If YourName.com is unavailable, reconsider your LLC name.
Common NJ alternatives: YourNameNJ.com, YourNameNewJersey.com, YourNameLLC.com.
Cost: $12-15/year.
Check domain availability simultaneously with NJ name search - ensure brand consistency.
Costs Summary
Name search: Free (call to confirm). Name reservation (optional): $50.
Certificate of Formation: $125. Expedited processing (recommended): $50.
Annual report: $75/year (starts year 2). Registered agent (optional): $100-300/year.
Total first year: $175-525 depending on options.
NJ vs Other States
Advantages: Lower filing fee than NY ($200), allows periods in "L.L.C." (unlike IL). No publication requirement - saves $1,000+ vs NY.
Disadvantages: Slowest processing in region - 6-8 weeks vs 1-2 days DE.
Name reservation takes 6 weeks. No same-day service available.
Choice: Form in state where you operate (NJ if NJ-based), or DE if you want speed.
Trademark Lens verifies New Jersey LLC name availability and federal trademark conflicts before $125 filing fee.